STARTING AND DRIVING
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* Option/accessory. 303
•Use the ECO Guide* (p. 70) which indicates
how fuel-efficiently the car is being driven.
•For lower fuel consumption, activate Drive
mode ECO11 which can further reduce fuel
consumption.
•Use the Eco Coast12 freewheel function -
engine braking will cease and the car's
kinetic energy can be used to freewheel for
longer distances.
•Drive in the highest gear possible, adapted to
the current traffic situation and road - lower
engine speeds result in lower fuel consump-
tion. Use the gear shift indicator (p. 274)13.
•Drive at a steady speed and keep a good dis-
tance to other vehicles and objects to mini-
mise braking.
•High speed results in increased fuel con-
sumption - the wind resistance increases
with speed.
•Do not run the engine to operating tempera-
ture at idling speed, but rather drive with a
normal load right after starting - a cold
engine consumes more fuel than a warm
one.
•Drive with the correct air pressure in the
tyres and check this regularly - select ECO
tyre pressure for best results, see Tyres -
approved tyre pressures (p. 400).
•Choice of tyres can affect fuel consumption -
seek advice on suitable tyres from a dealer.
•Remove unnecessary items from the car -
the greater the load the higher the fuel con-
sumption.
•Use engine braking to slow down, when it
can take place without risk to other road
users.
•A roof load and space box increase air resis-
tance, leading to higher fuel consumption -
remove the load carriers when not in use.
•Avoid driving with open windows.
For more information, see Environmental philoso-
phy (p. 22) and Fuel consumption and CO2 emis-
sions (p. 398).
WARNING
Never switch off the engine while moving,
such as downhill, this deactivates important
systems such as the power steering and
brake servo.
Driving with a trailer
When driving with a trailer there are a number of
important points to think about regarding e.g. the
towing bracket, the trailer and how the load is
positioned in the trailer.
Payload depends on the car's kerb weight. The
total of the weight of the passengers and all
accessories, e.g. towbar, reduces the car's pay-
load by a corresponding weight. For more
detailed information, see Weights (p. 386).
If the towing bracket is mounted by Volvo, then
the car is delivered with the necessary equipment
for driving with a trailer.
•The car's towing bracket must be of an
approved type.
•If the towbar is retrofitted, check with your
Volvo dealer that the car is fully equipped for
driving with a trailer.
•Distribute the load on the trailer so that the
weight on the towing bracket complies with
the specified maximum towball load.
•Increase the tyre pressure to the recom-
mended pressure for a full load. For informa-
tion on the tyre pressure, see Tyres -
approved tyre pressures (p. 400).
•The engine is loaded more heavily than usual
when driving with a trailer.
11 Applies to automatic gearbox.
12 See "Drive mode ECO".
13 Applies to manual gearbox.
